Designing the ideal home is more than creating something that’s easy on the eye. To create a sanctuary you need to design a home with all of your senses in mind.
There’s a reason many people talk about the need to create a home that’s a sanctuary – because it has the ability to put you in a better mood and reduce stress levels.
To ensure your home appeals to more than just your eyes, here’s what you need to know about decorating with all of your senses in mind.
Smell
Ever walked into someone’s home and noticed how it smells? Well your home would have its own unique scent, too.
Every house has its own unique smell and quite often we can’t smell our own home’s scent.
So, how do you ensure your house smells amazing?
Scented candles are the obvious choice but there are many other ways to make your home smell divine.
Baking, brewing coffee or lighting a fire can evoke an emotional connection to a home.
Whereas, not only does a bowl of fresh lemons add a splash of colour, but they bring in a fresh element and scent, too.
Flowers are always a visual delight and the fragrance can fill rooms and linger for days.
When cleaning your home try using an orange- or fragrant-scented product. And when doing the laundry, scented fabric strips in the dryer fill the house with a gorgeous smell.
If you’re looking for more ways to make your home smell heavenly, read this.
Sight
This is one of the most important elements. So to start, pull back curtains and throw open your windows to fill the house with fresh air and natural light.
The doorways offer your first look into a room. Stand back and consider how your room looks from the entry points to assess what’s going on and what might need a little adjusting or work.
You don’t need to fill every wall in every room with furniture or art. Keep in mind there must always be somewhere for your eyes to rest.
Taste
Nothing makes a home more welcoming than the smell of home cooking.
Before having guests over a great trick is to turn the oven on and bake something or fry up some onions in butter or brew coffee.
This will work in harmony with the other senses and ensure your home creates a welcoming feeling that appeals to all senses.
Touch
It’s important to create an emotional connection to your home through touch.
Visual texture is creating a look through colour and patterns. This is the first thing you notice when walking into a room. The appeal of the room is then further enhanced through touch.
How boring would a room be if it was made up entirely of the same texture? It would feel flat and lacklustre.
Mix things up by using a combination of fur, linen, plush velvets, wool, cotton or sisals. This will take your room to the next level.
Sound
Music is the best way to bring the sense of sound into your home. Although music is a mood changer, consider others things like a wood fire, wind chimes or a water fountain to soften the ambience.
Furniture absorbs sound so if your room echoes, go shopping. A quick fix can be to insulate with rugs, curtains and soft furnishings. This will also soften the look of your home.
Read more: How to find the right look for your interiors
This article was originally published as How to decorate a home for the five senses by www.realestate.com.au and is written by Kim Oliver.